Hook switch actuator assembly

Abstract

An actuator assembly for operating a hook switch in a telephone set includes an actuating member with a cantilever leaf spring. The actuating member is pivotally mounted to the inner surface of the cover and is biased toward the inner surface of the cover by the cantilever leaf spring. In the absence of a handset, the actuating member partially protrudes through an aperture in the cover into a cradle formation. Placement of a handset into the cradle formation pivots the actuating member away from the inner surface of the cover to actuate the hook switch.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An actuator assembly for operating a hook switch in a telephone set, the telephone set having a base to which the hook switch is fixed, and a cover carried by the base, the cover having an outer surface, an inner surface, a cradle formation for receiving a handset against the outer surface, and an aperture in the cradle formation extending from the outer surface to the inner surface, the actuator assembly comprising: pivot and stop formations depending from the inner surface of the cover; and   an actuating member pivotally mounted to the pivot formation and aligned with the aperture for actuating the hook switch, the actuating member including a cantilever spring means supported by the stop formation for urging the actuating member toward the inner surface of the cover to partially protrude through the aperture;   whereby placement of the handset in the cradle formation pivots the actuating member away from the inner surface of the cover and actuates the hook switch.   
     
     
       2. The actuator assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuating member comprises: a body portion pivotally mounted to the pivot formation;   the cantilever spring means, comprising a cantilever leaf spring having a first end fixed to the body portion and a second end supported by the stop formation;   a first arm, extending from the body portion substantially parallel to the cantilever leaf spring, for actuating the hook switch; and   a second arm, extending from the body portion substantially parallel to the cantilever leaf spring and aligned with the aperture, for protruding through the aperture.   
     
     
       3. The actuator assembly of claim 2 wherein the second arm has a raised portion for protruding through the aperture and a lateral projection for bearing against the inner surface of the cover to limit the protrusion of the second arm through the aperture. 
     
     
       4. The actuator assembly of claim 3 wherein the body portion has two champfered right-cylindrical projections aligned on an axis substantially perpendicular to the cantilever leaf spring for rotatably riding in socket means in the pivot formation. 
     
     
       5. The actuator assembly of claim 4 wherein: the body portion, the first arm and the second arm together comprise a single molded synthetic plastic part;   the cantilever leaf spring comprises a stamped metal part; and   the first end of the cantilever leaf spring is embedded in the body portion.